Machine for cleaning hulls of vessels.



No. 646,357. Patented Mar. 27, |900.

T. W. G. COOK 6. L. H. STERN. MAGHINE FOR -GLEANIN HULLSl 0F VESSELS.

(Application led Aug. 31, 1898.) (No Modal.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 4 Arf-0MinTm: NoRms Pneus co.. PHoraLlmoA. w/sumcmm uA c.

No. 646,357. A i Pened Mar. 27, |900.

T. W. G. 600K & L. H. STERN. MACHINE FOR CLEANING HULLS 0F VESSELS.

(Application iled Aug. 31, 1898.) V (N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Mar. 27, |900. T. W. G. 000K & L..H. STERN. MACHINE FORCLEANING HULLS 0F VESSELS.

(Apneatioh med Aug. a1, 189e.)

3- Shets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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ATTORNEYS NTTRD STATES PATENT rrrc.

PrrioMAs fw. e. ,oook AND LEoroLD n. STERN, or 'NEW YORK, N. Y., sAiDSTERN AssIeNoR or ONE-HALF or Hrs RIGHT 'ro SAID oook.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING HULLS OF VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,357, dated. March27, 1900.

Application filed August 31, 1898.

T @ZZ 7,072,071?, t may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS W. G. COOK and LEOPOLD H. STERN, citizens ofthe United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forCleaning Hulls of Vessels, of which the following is a specification. i

The object of our invention is to provide a io device for cleaning andpolishing the hulls of vessels.

Our invention comprises, essentially, a guideway or track which isadapted to be secured in position upon the vessel-hull and a suitableframe or carriage arranged to travel in the guideway or track andprovided with a cleaning-tool which is supported in operative relationto the surface of the vesselhull. The guideway or track is preferably zoformed of a pair of chains of pivotally-connected channel-links, thechains being preferably anchored at one side of the vessel and passedunder the keel and attached to .a winding-drum or windlass,whereby thechains or flexible tracks may be secured in position. The cleaning frameor carriage supports a reciprocating cleaning-tool comprising,preferably, a scraping-knife and a polishing brush, the cleaning-toolbeing reciprocated 3o by a suitable motor mounted in the frame,

the motor being operated by a dynamo communicating therewith throughsuitable circuit-Wires. The frame or carriage is provided withrigidly-attached arms extending from it at an angle and engaging theguide- Way or track, so as to automatically hold the cleaning-tool inengagement with the surface of the vessel-hull. The frame or carriage issupported by a suitable bail by which it is 4o lowered by gravity overthe side of the vessel, and for the purpose of disengaging thecleaning-tool from any obstruction we provideasecond controllingconnection attached to the frame eccentrically to the point ofattachment of the supporting-arms. lVe also provide a traveling frame towhich the guideway or track is suitably connected and propelling devicesmounted in the traveling ltical sectional view of the same.

frame and` engaging the vessel-hull for the Serialv No. 689,970. (Nomodel.)

purpose of moving the guideway ortrack into 5o different positions uponthe hull.

In order that our invention may be fully understood, vwe will firstdescribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings andafterward point out the novelty with more particularity in the annexedclaims.

In said drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of our improvedhull-cleaning device, showing it in operative position. Fig. 2 is afront elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a ver- 6o Fig. 4 is a sideelevation of the cleaning frame or car` riage. Fig. 5 is a detail Viewof part of` the tool-operating mechanism. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail viewsof parts of the flexible guideway or track. Fig. 8 is a sectional endview of the traveling frame and propelling devices. Fig. 0 is a sideelevation of the same. Y

The guideway or track, which is adjustably secured in position upon thesurface of the 7o vessel-hull, comprises, preferably, two chains ofchannel links 1 and 2. Each chain is formed of a series of links a,having integral flanges b, forming a channel c, and integral lugs d ande,- by which the links are pivotally connected.

The flexible guideways or .tracks l and 2 are suitably anchored at oneside of the vessel-as, for exam ple, by means of chains 3 and eyebolts4. (Shown in Fig. l.) The flexible 8o tracks extend from the anchoringdevices 3 4 over one gunwale, down one side of the vesselhull, under thekeel 5, up the other side of the vessel-hull, and over the othergunwale. At this side of the vessel the flexible tracks may be providedwith chains 6, attached to a winding-drum or windlass 7, by which theflexible tracks may be secured in position. To assist in adjusting theflexible guideways or tracks longitudinally of the vessel, we mayprovide 9o suitable propelling devices connected with the guideways ortracks and having means for propelling them along the hull of thevessel.

One form of such device is illustrated in Figs.

S and 9 and will be hereinafter referred to.

The hull-cleaning device comprises a suitable frame having a cylindricalportion 10,

within which is mounted an electric motor 1l;

side frames l2, having rounded or curved guiding-faces 12; studs 13,rigidly secured in the side frames 12, and arms 14, rigidly secured tostuds 13 and supporting the antifrction-rollers 15. Theanti'lriction-rollers 15 work in the channels or ways of the guidewaysor tracks 1 and 2 for supporting the frame of the cleaning device, thearms 14 being extended at such an angle from the frame of the cleaningdevice that the rounded portions 12 of the side frames will beautomatically held in engagement with the surface of the vessel-hull bythe weight of the frame and operating parts of the cleaning device.

Adjacent to the rounded portions 12a of the side frames are formed theinwardly-projecting guides or bosses 16, in which the cleaningtool 17reciprocates. The cleaning-tool, as shown, comprises a series of knivesor serapers 17, pointing forwardly, and a polishing-brush 17", pointingrearwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the cleaning-tool. Theelectric motor 11 is geared to the cleaningtool through thearmature-shaft 18, gears 19 20, shaft 21, crank-disk 22, and pitma-n 23,the parts being supported in suitable bearings in proper relation in theusual manner. The motor and directly-connected operating parts areinclosed within a cylindrical watertight casing to protect them from theaction of the water, the shaft 2l passing through a suitablestuiiing-box 24. The pitman 23 is connected with the reciprocatingcleaningtool through a swiveled arm 26, so as to allow for the slightvibrations of the cleaningtool in operation without interfering with thefree operation of the motor and connected parts.

The electric motor 11 is in circuit with binding-posts 11, which areinsulated from the frame or carriage, said. binding-posts beingelectrically connected with a dynamo or other current-supplying device,which is not shown and is designed to be operated from the deck of thevessel.

The frame or carriage of the cleaning device is supported by means ofmetal bail 50, rigidly secured to the side frames of the carriage andattached to the end of a rope or chain 51, operated from the deck of thevessel. By lowering the rope or chain 51 the cleaning device will movedown over the side of the vessel by its own weight. 55 is an eye securedin top of the frame or casing eccentric to the line of connection of thearms 14, and 56 is a chain or rope attached to the eye 55 forcontrolling the action of the cleaningtool.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, we will now describe the means for adjustingthe guideways or tracks longitudinally upon the vessel. A

suitable elongated U -shaped frame 30 is formed with openings 31 at itsends, through which the guideways or tracks 1 and 2 pass and in whichthey are secured by removable plates 32. 33 and 34 are doublestar-wheels,

having V-shaped engaging teeth, which are adapted to engage the keel orother projection upon the vessel. The star-wheels 33 34 are mounted uponaxles 35 3G, journaled in the U-shaped frame 30 and carrying at theirouter ends worm-gears 37, meshing with similar gears 38, keyed to alongitudinally-extending operating shaft 39, which is also journaled inthe frame 30. The shaft 39 has at one end a sprocket-wheel 40, operatedby a sprocket-chain 41, which is designed to ex- .tend from both sidesof the vessel under the keel. The sprocket-chain 41 may be operated fromthe deck of the vessel, and by the rotation of the shaft 39 thestar-wheels 33 and 34 will be made to travel upon the vessel-keel orother part of the vessel-hull with which they engage. In this Way theguide- Way or track can be adjusted longitudinally of the vessel. Theguideway or track having been placedin the desired position upon thevessel-hull, the cleaning frame or carriage is put in position, with4its supportingarms in engagement with the guideway or track, and bylowering the rope 50 the carriage is allowed to drop over the side ofthe vessel by its own weight, the curved or rounded ends 12n of the sideframe resting in contact with the side of the vesselhull,while thereciprocating cleaning-tool 17 is supported in close proximity, but outof contact with the vessel-hull. As the carriage is lowered over theside of the vessel the motor is operated for reciprocating the cleaningtool, the Scrapers or knives effectively removing any hard substances,such as barnacles,while the brushes complete the cleaning and polishingaction.

It will be observed that the cleaning-tool reciprocat-es transverselyoi' the direction of movement of the frame or carriage, making itsaction much more effective, as it has the forward thrust oi' themovement of the carriage and the transverse movement under the action ofthe motor. It will also be observed that should the cleaning-knife comeinto engagement with any obstruction which cannot be removed the furtherdescent of the frame or carriage would be prevented. In such anemergency the chain or rope 56 is pulled yupwardly slightly, which willrock the frame or carriage upon tssupporting-arms and move thecleaning-tool away from the obstruction, when the frame or carriage willcontinue to move downwardly. The chain or rope 56 is then loosened, andthe operation of cleaning the vessel will continue. It will further beObserved that the rounded portions of the side frames oli' the carriagemove over the surface of the hull and prevent the cleaning-tool engagingthe seams in the sides of the vessel.

The guideways Vor tracks may be arranged without the traveling frame andpropelling devices, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which case the chains1 and 2 are suitably spaced bya rod7 such as GO. In this form of the de-IOO IIO

' ters Patent, is-

l 646,357 j 1 s vice the guideway or track is moved from one position toanother by loosening it up on the windlass and sliding it along thevessel, operating it from the two sides of the vessel.

Havingthus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letl. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, thecombination of a iiexible,.channeled guideway or track adapted to besecured in position on the vessel-hull, a frame arranged to travel onthe guideway or track, and having projections engaging with thechannelstherein, a cleaning-tool mounted on the carriage and confined bythe guideWay-channels in Working relation to the surface ot' thevessel-hull, means for moving the frame on the guideway or track andmeans foroperating the tool in contact with the hull, substantially asstforth.

2. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aflexible guideway or track comprising two chains of pivotallyconnectedchannel-links and adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, a frame arranged to travel on the guideway or track, acleaning-tool carried by the frame, confined by the guideWay-channel inWorking relation to the surface of the h-ull and means for moving theframe on the guideway or track substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position on the vessel-hull,a frame or carriage adapted to travel on the guideway or track, areciprocating cleaning-tool mounted in the frame or carriage and meansfor imparting to the clean! ing-tool reciprocating motion relatively tothe carriage and in contact With the surface of the hull, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of a pairof chains formed of pivotally-connected channel-links, means forsecuring said chains in parallel position on the vessel-hull, a cleanerframe or carriage mounted to move on the guideWa-y formed by saidchains, a cleaning-tool mounted to reciprocate in the movable frame orcarriage and held by the channels in the links in operative positionrelatively to the surface of the hull, and means for-impartingreciprocating movement to the tool, relatively to the carriage,substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon the vessel-hull, with a frame or carriage arranged to travel in the guideway ortrack, a reciprocating cleaning-tool mounted upon the frame or carriage,means for moving the frame or carriage on the guideway or track, andmeans for reciprocating the cleaning-tool transversely to the directionof movement of the frame or carriage, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

from the frame or carriage at such an angle that the cleaning-tool willbe automatically held against the hull to its Work by the Weight of theframe or carriage, substantially as set forth.

7. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, a gravitating cleaning frame or carriage supporting acleaning-tool and having supporting-arms rigidly secured to it, saidarms engaging the guideway or track and extending from the frame orcarriage at such an angle that the cleaning-tool will be automaticallyheld against the hull to its Work by the weight of the frame orcarriage, and an operating connection secured to the frame or carriageby which the frame or carriage can be lowered and raised, substantiallyas set forth.

S. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, a cleaning frame or carriage, a cleaning-tool supportedupon a portion of the frame or carriage projecting inwardly toward thevessel-hull, arms rigidly secured to the frame or carriage andprojecting inwardly therefrom and engaging the guideway or track,whereby the cleaning-tool will be automaticallylield against the hull toits Work, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of'asuitable frame arranged to be moved over the surface of a vessel-hull, areciprocating cleaning-tool mounted in the frame, and means forreciprocating the cleaning-tool transversely to the direction ofmovement of the frame, substantially as set forth.

10. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of asuitable frame arranged to be moved over the surface of a vessel-hull, areciprocating cleaning-tool mounted in the frame, and comprising a knifeor scraper and a brush, and means for reciprocating the cleaning-tooltransversely to the direction of movement of the frame, substantially asset forth.

1l. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vesf sels, the combination of asuitable frame or carriage arranged to move over the surface of thevessel-hull, a suitable motor mounted within the frame, guides formed onthe frame, a reciprocating cleaning-tool mounted in said guides, andgearing between the motor and cleaning-tool, substantially as set forth.

l2. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of asuitable frame or carriage arranged to move over the surface IOC IIO

of the vessel-hull, said frame or carriage being provided with guidingparts which engage the hull and slide or move thereover, and areciprocating cleaning-tool mounted in the frame or carriage Within theguiding parts in such relation thereto that the cleaning-tool will beheld in working relation to the hull and will be prevented from injuringthe surface thereof, substantially as set forth.

13. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of agnideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, a cleaning frame or carriage supporting a cleaningtool andhaving supporting-arms rigidly secured to it, said arms `engaging theguideway or track and extending from the frame or carriage at such anangle that the cleaning-tool will be automatically held against the hulltoits Work by the Weight of the frame or carriage, and acontrollingdevice connected with the frame or carriage at a pointeccentric to the point of attachment of the supporting-arms, whereby thecuttingtool can be disengaged from any obstruction, substantially as setforth.

14. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, a cleaning frame or carriage supporting a cleaning-tool andhaving supporting-arms rigidly secured to it, said arms engaging theguideway or track and extending from the frame or carriage at such anangle that the cleaning-tool will be automatically held against the hullto its Work by the weight of the frame or carriage, an operatingconnection secured to the frame or carriage adjacent to the points ofengagement of the supporting-arms with the guideway or track, and acontrolling device connected With the frame or carriage at a pointexterior and eccentric to the point of attachment of the supportingarmswith the frame or carriage, substantially as set forth.

15. In a machine for cleaning hulls of Vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, with a frame or carriage arranged to travel in the guidewayor track, a cleaning-tool carried by the frame or carriage, a travelingframe to which the guideway or track is suitably connected, star-Wheelsj ournaled in the traveling frameV and in position to engage thevessel-hull, and suitable means for operating the star-wheels, as ,setforth.

16. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aflexible guideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, with a frame arranged to travel in the guideway or track, acleaning-tool carried by the frame and confined in working 'relation tothe vessel-hull by the guideway or track, means for operating the framein the guideway or track, a traveling frame to which the exible guidewayor track is suitably connected, star`-wheels journaled in the travelingframe in position to engage the vessel-hull, a driving-shaft journaledin the traveling frame and geared to the star- Wheels for operatingthem, and means for operating said driving-shaft from the deck of thevessel, substantially as set forth.

17. Inra machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of aguideway or track adapted to be secured in position upon thevessel-hull, with a frame `or carriage arranged to travel in theguideWay or track, a cleaning-tool carried by the frame or carriage, atraveling frame to which the guideway or track is suitably connected,star Wheels formed with V-shaped engaging teeth journaled in thetraveling frame and adapted to engage the keel or other projection uponthe vessel-hull, and means for operating the starwheels for moving theframe and connected guideway or track, as set forth.

1S. In a machine for cleaning hulls of vessels, the combination of a.pair of chains of pivotally-connected channel-links forming Vguideways,a traveling U shaped frame

